Software alternatives · Structural
A free Microstran alternative in your browser
Microstran is commercial software for frame analysis and steel member design. If you need to do similar work without an installation or a licence — for preliminary design, checking, teaching or a quick answer on site — the CivilWorks Atelier studios below cover the same kinds of tasks for free, with step-by-step calculation sheets, drawings and Excel.
Where to do it in CivilWorks Atelier
| Task | Studio | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 3D frame analysis | 3D Frame Studio | Joints, members, supports and load combinations |
| Steel member design to AS 4100 | Steel structure studio | Every member checked, auto-sizing, drawings |
| Steel connections | Steel Connection Studio | Bolts, welds and plates |
Why engineers use it
- Free and instant — no installation, licence server or sign-up; it runs on a laptop, tablet or phone.
- Every step shown — calculation sheets (PDF) with the formulas, values and code clauses, ready to check by hand.
- Drawings and data — A3 drawing sets, SVG and PNG figures, Excel workbooks and JSON project files.
- Codes you work to — Australian Standards, with BNBC 2020 (Bangladesh), US and British codes where the studio offers them.
- Private by design — your inputs stay in your browser.
Where Microstran still fits
Large three-dimensional models, project-wide data management and analyses that need a validated commercial program and its support remain the job of tools such as Microstran. CivilWorks Atelier is best used for preliminary design, independent checks of a model, quick site answers, teaching and small projects.
Questions
Is CivilWorks Atelier a free alternative to Microstran?
For many everyday tasks, yes: frame analysis and steel member design can be worked through in the free browser studios listed on this page, with calculation sheets and drawings. It is not a copy of Microstran, does not open its files and is not affiliated with its developer.
Can I use the results for design?
The studios follow published design standards and show every step, so each result can be checked by hand. They are intended for preliminary design, independent checking and learning; final designs should be verified by a qualified engineer.
Do I need to install anything or pay for a licence?
No. Everything runs in a web browser on a desktop, tablet or phone, and the studios are free to use. Your inputs stay in your browser.
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Microstran is a trademark of its respective owner. CivilWorks Atelier is an independent site and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by that owner; the name is used only to describe the kind of work being compared. CivilWorks Atelier does not open or create Microstran files.